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Friday News 1/22/21
City of Mendota Heights sent this bulletin at 01/22/2021 03:19 PM CST
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FRIDAY NEWS | January 22, 2021
THE LATEST
Three different designs are being considered for Marie Park; see article for details and links to renderings.
Help select the new playground design at Marie
Park
Vote for your favorite by 8 a.m. on February 1, 2021
A subcommittee of the Parks and Recreation Commission and City staff have been working
with qualified vendors through a Request for Proposal process on a redesign of the
playground at Marie Park, located at 1780 Lilac Lane in Mendota Heights. The current
playground will be removed and a new playground is anticipated to be installed by June 1,
2021. There are three designs being considered, and your input is requested to help steer
the decision-making process on selecting a design that best fits our community needs.
While they might all be fun, your voting is limited to only one!
Details for all three designs can be found on the City's web page, including renderings and
highlights of key features.
The public is invited and encouraged to provide feedback in any of the following three ways:
Virtual Open House via WebEx or phone | Tuesday, January 26, 6:30 - 7:30
p.m.
Attend from your preferred device to receive a walk-through of the designs and vote for your
favorite.
Join by WebEx link:
https://logis.webex.com/webappng/sites/logis/meeting/download/427f81f50c924192933525
4ad3f37207?siteurl=logis&MTID=m2978b86f7293c18de21d447a4c9e28a3
Join by Phone:
+1-312-535-8110 United States Toll (Chicago)
+1-415-655-0001 US Toll
Access code: 177 458 9682
In-person Open House at City Hall | Thursday, January 28, 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Masks and social distancing required.
Vote via Polco | Polls are open now through Monday, February 1 at 8 a.m.
Provide comment any time, from any place, using a smart phone or device via Polco.
Participate in Polco by visiting the City's Polco webpage at polco.us/mendotaheights or by
downloading the Polco app for iOS or Android. You will be required to create an account to
confirm that you live in the community. To preserve privacy, Polco does not share individual
responses or information with anyone, including city officials. To review the Polco Privacy
Policy click HERE.
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COVID-19 vaccine information
Find information from the state on vaccine data, distribution process, and phase schedule
here. You can also access information and answers to questions on the Minnesota
Department of Health's vaccination webpage.
Find a free COVID-19 community testing event
The Minnesota Department of Health is hosting both saliva and nasal swab testing events
throughout Minnesota. Tests are free and insurance is not required.
Visit mn.gov/covid19/get-tested/testing-locations/index.jsp for more information.
Learn more about the COVIDaware MN app
You can help protect your community and add your phone to the fight against COVID-19
today! It’s free. It’s anonymous. It helps slow the spread of the coronavirus in our
communities. Visit covidawaremn.com for more information.
Update on filling City commission vacancies
The City Council will be interviewing five finalists for two openings on the Planning
Commission, and four finalists for one opening on the Parks and Recreation Commission by
virtual means on Wednesday, January 27, beginning at 5 p.m. Formal appointments will be
made at the February 2 City Council meeting.
In recognition of service
Recently retired City Councilor Liz Petschel received recognition for her service and
experience at Wednesday's Noise Oversight Committee (NOC) of the Metropolitan Airports
Commission.
Ms. Petschel was active for many years on the NOC, serving as chair for several of those
years. She was recognized by NOC and airport officials as a regional expert on airport
noise, and that she helped to unite the cities which are adjacent to the airport into an
effective unit to reduce the impacts of airport noise.
Federal Aviation
Administration seeking input
Comment on the Neighborhood
Environmental Survey by March 15, 2021
As part of an ongoing research program on aircraft
noise, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
recently published a nationwide Neighborhood Environmental Survey. According to the
FAA, the survey results show a substantial increase in the percentage of people who are
highly annoyed by aircraft noise over the entire range of aircraft noise levels considered,
including even at lower noise levels. The FAA recognizes that a range of factors may be
driving the increase in annoyance shown in the Neighborhood Environmental Survey results
compared to earlier transportation noise annoyance surveys.
The FAA is seeking input on the factors that may be contributing to the increase in
annoyance shown in the survey results. It is interested in hearing from the public as to what,
if any, additional investigation, analysis, or research should be undertaken to form FAA
noise policy. The public is invited to comment on the survey until March 15, 2021;
comments can be submitted here.
The Noise Oversight Committee (NOC) will further discuss this topic at a special meeting to
be held on Wednesday, February 17, 2021 at 1:30 p.m.
Applications being accepted for the Dakota County
Small Business Relief Grant Program
Apply for the newest round through 5 p.m. Feb. 12, 2021
Mendota Heights small businesses that have been impacted financially by COVID-19 are
encouraged to apply; many small businesses, including bars, restaurants, and home-based
ones, may be eligible. While many Mendota Heights businesses have already received
grant assistance, there are still some that may be eligible and have not applied. If you don't
know if you are eligible or have questions, please call 651-675-4481 or
email smallbusiness@dakotacda.org. For details and application information visit Dakota
County's Small Business Relief Grant Program page.
Recent highlights
Use caution on and near the ice at Rogers Lake, and follow posted signage while
aeration is underway.
The Parks and Recreation Commission is seeking a student representative; high
school sophomores or juniors encouraged to apply by February 1.
RECYCLING
Ends January 31
Thanks for keeping these tanglers out of the
trash and recycling carts!
As you begin taking lights down for the holidays swing
by City Hall during business hours and drop any
broken or unwanted lights into the collection barrel for
recycling. In addition to holiday lights, you can drop
off electrical cords, appliance cords, and phone cords through the end of January. Lights
attached to wreaths, holly or trees must be removed first. Holiday lights are also accepted
year round at The Recycling Zone in Eagan.
Did you know?
Black plastic is always trash. Whether it is a rotisserie chicken container, mushroom
container or take-out food container, place black plastic in the trash.
NATURAL RESOURCES
City of Mendota Heights Natural Resources
Management Plan update
Public hearing and presentation February 2, 2021
The City of Mendota Heights is currently updating its Natural Resources Management Plan
(NRMP). The plan will serve as a tool to help guide the City in creating decisions and
actions to conserve and manage its natural resources into the future. The public hearing
and presentation on the draft of the Natural, Resources Management Plan will be at the City
Council meeting on February 2, 2021, which begins at 6 p.m. The council will be asked to
authorize a "Notice to Proceed" for the remaining Phase 2 of the NRMP. Watch for a copy of
the NRMP draft to be posted for review on the City’s website prior to the City Council
meeting. Learn more about the plan.
Recent highlights
Lexington-Marie and Sutton stormwater pond maintenance.
POLICE DEPARTMENT NEWS
Just the Facts
Incident reports 1/15/21 - 1/21/21 Previous Just the Facts publications are available in the
Laserfiche archive system on the City's website.
Sign up for emergency alerts
The Emergency Alert Program is available through the Dakota Communications Center
(DCC) at mn-dcc.org/community-notification/.
Stay in touch through Nextdoor
y g
As a way to reach more of the community and specific neighborhoods, in addition to their
popular Facebook page MHPD has expanded their social media channels to include
Nextdoor. Nextdoor accounts are verified based on your address, and the platform is
already used by 40% of the households in Mendota Heights. Learn more and sign up
at nextdoor.com.
For immediate public safety response and non-
emergency police assistance call 9-1-1
The Police Department will also continue to process requests for police reports, gun
permits, etc. Link to the forms under Public Resources at mendota-heights.com/police.
Completed forms and general questions can be submitted via email to
pdrecords@mendota-heights.com.
PARKS & RECREATION
Athletic field and facility permit use requests
Due February 1 for use March through July 2021
Permit requests to use City athletic fields and facilities from March through July 2021 are
due Monday, February 1. Reservations received after the deadline will be handled on a first-
come, first-serve basis. More information and application forms are available at mendota-
heights.com/parksrecreation.
Warming houses open at Friendly Hills and Marie
Parks
Warming houses are open at Friendly Hills Park and Marie Park. Due to capacity limitations,
the warming house at Wentworth Park is closed for the season.
Warming House Hours:
Monday thru Friday 4 - 9 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Sunday Noon - 6 p.m.
Rink lights are on automatic timers from dusk until 9 p.m., 7 days a week
Stay safe before heading to the rinks:
Call the ice rink/warming house hotline at 651-255-1174 for conditions and updates
Dress for the weather, bring proper gear, and plan your time outdoors according to
temperature and weather
The City has three hockey and three pleasure rinks located at:
Friendly Hills Park | 2360 Pueblo Lane
Marie Park | 1780 Lilac Lane
Wentworth Park | 739 Wentworth Ave (Warming house closed)
Let's get skating!
Winter recreation programs
See what's coming up for winter fun and register for open programs
at secure.rec1.com/MN/mendota-heights-mn/catalog. Please note that programs may
change at any time in response to public health guidance and regulations.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Public Meetings
Meeting changes or cancellations are noted on the City's website mendota-
heights.com/calendar. Meetings take place at City Hall unless otherwise noted. Meeting
attendees should adhere to the posted City Hall safety guidelines and be aware that
capacity in the City Council Chambers will be limited. As much as possible, the community
is encouraged to watch City Council, Planning Commission, and Parks & Recreation
Commission meetings live on Cable Channel 18, online
at townsquare.tv/webstreaming (available live or for replay), or through dial-in when offered.
Select Airport Relations Commission meetings are broadcast on Cable Channel 19.
Occasionally broadcasted channels may change; check Town Square Television's listings
for updates.
Planning Commission | January 26 - CANCELLED
Marie Park Playground Virtual Open House | January 26, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
City Council Work Session | January 27, 5:00 p.m., Special Meeting to follow
Marie Park Playground In-Person Open House | January 28, 4:30-7:30 p.m.
City Council | February 2, 6:00 p.m.
City Council Work Session | February 9, 3:15 p.m.
Parks & Recreation Commission | February 9, 6:30 p.m.
City Business Hours
City Hall: Monday - Thursday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. | Friday 7-11:30 a.m.
Police Department: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
City Hall Contact Information
Official Website of the City of Mendota Heights, Minnesota 1101 Victoria Curve Mendota Heights, MN 55118 Phone: 651-452-1850
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